Effortless (Thoughtless, #2)(123)

As I started stumbling over something to say, the bus door was banged on and a familiar voice drifted to us from outside. “Kell? You and Kiera in there?”

Hearing Evan’s jovial voice brought me back to a simpler time, when Kellan and I were only having a secret affair behind my boyfriend’s back. Wow, I never thought I’d see the day when that horrid moment in my life would become the “good ole days.”

Kellan sighed, then leaned over and shouted, “Yeah, we’re in here.” Evan walked over to our section of the bus and I heard him clear his throat. “You, uh…dressed?”

Kellan chuckled a little while I blushed. “Yeah…what’s up?”

“We’re on in ten, so, you know, we should get ready.” Kellan blinked and sat up on his elbows. “Already? Damn…” He stood up, then looked back at me. “I’m sorry…it’s our turn.” I nodded, swallowing. “I know.” He extended his hand to me, not looking too sure on whether or not I’d take it. Exhaling slowly, I stood up and grabbed his hand. Regardless of our issues, I still loved him…heart and soul.

Letting out a relieved sigh, he kissed the back of my hand, right over my promise ring. Cringing, I glanced at his face; he still had a scratch along his jaw where my ring had nicked him. Feeling guilty over hurting him, I leaned up and kissed his jaw. His eyes were glossy when they met mine again, and he nodded, like he understood my silent apology.

“Come on…want to watch our show?”

Finally smiling fully, I nodded eagerly and clasped his hand in both of mine. “Yeah, definitely.” If there was one thing that could turn my mood around in a heartbeat, it was watching Kellan perform. And I’d missed that too.

344



We met up with Evan outside, and Evan slung his arm around me. I smiled, leaning into him and secretly wanting to ask him if he knew anything about Kellan that I didn’t. I didn’t ask him, though. For one, he probably wouldn’t tell me, since Kellan was his friend and sort of his boss; Evan wouldn’t want to rock that boat if he could help it.

Plus…Kellan had kept us a secret from Evan. He’d been pretty surprised when he found out about us. I was pretty sure that whatever was going on with Kellan, all of the guys were as clueless as me. I would just have to trust that Kellan would tell me when he was ready, and hopefully, it wouldn’t hurt…too much.

Walking us back through their super-secret rock star entrance, we hurriedly made our way to the back of the stage. Justin waved at me as we passed by; his band was ending the night, after the D-Bags played. I flushed as I timidly waved back. I don’t think I’d ever feel comfortable around him now.

Luckily we didn’t see the rocker who’d tattled on Kellan. I think I’d end up punching him if we did.

As we got to the waiting area right beside the stage, I glanced up at the band waving and bowing to the crowd. Nerves flooded through me as Kellan released my hand and grabbed his guitar. I was getting anxious for him; the small section of the crowd that I could see looked massive to me, and the noise as the MC introduced Kellan’s band was ear splitting—a hundred times louder than Pete’s. But Kellan looked calm as could be as he waited with a foot on a step, smiling at me.

Just as the crowd died down, he nodded at me, then twisted and darted onstage. I shook my head at him. Situations reversed, I’d be frozen on that stair, unable to move. The rest of the guys followed him up there, and I watched, spellbound. Evan and Matt waved while Kellan and Griffin reached down to a few lucky fans in the front.

The roar of the crowd was even louder and I swear, a couple of girls that Kellan had just touched were crying. It was so…surreal. Even without a hit being played endlessly on every radio across the country, these girls knew who Kellan was, who his band was. The guys had everything in place for hitting it big-time…even a contract with the same record label that had released Justin’s album.

345



As I was ruminating about what that meant for us, heaped on top of everything else, my sister looped her arms around my waist. “Isn’t this exciting, Kiera!”

I glanced over at the vivacious beauty, momentarily jealous over how simple her relationship was with Griffin. They both knew exactly what they were and weren’t to each other. There was no deception, no lies, no jealousy, no…nothing. They gave each other what they needed, when they needed it, then moved on when they were done. In a way, it was a win-win situation. Although…it sounded a little empty, too.

Leaning back in her arms, I nodded. My stomach was surging with adrenaline as I watched Evan start the set. Then Matt kicked in, Kellan close behind him, and all of a sudden, I felt like we were back at Evan’s loft, watching the boys rehearse. There was just a much larger audience watching this time.

I smiled wide as Kellan’s voice filled the theater. He was so good at this. It seemed as effortless to him as breathing. I’d seen him do it drunk, I’d seen him do it depressed, I’d seen him do it with a cold, heck, I’d even once watched him do it when he’d been battling a stomach flu.

He’d looked a little green that night, but his voice…that always sounded amazing.

As was his stage presence. Kellan lighted it up. It was one of those things that the rocker from the bus would never understand. You can’t dress the part and hope that it makes you look the part—you either have that certain spark or you don’t. And Kellan oozed that spark. I think, even if he were only so-so on the attractive scale, he’d still draw every eye to him. He was just…special.